ICE Arrests Milwaukee Islamic Society Leader

Salah Sarsour. Photo courtesy of Islamic Society of Milwaukee.

The president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, Salah Sarsour, was arrested by federal immigration agents Monday.

Sarsour was arrested Monday morning by more than 10 federal agents, who allegedly followed him from home, according to the Muslim Legal Fund of America (MLFA). He has since been placed in detention in Clay County, Indiana, according to federal court documents. Attorneys for Sarsour allege he was targeted by federal authorities over speech supporting Palestinian people.

Sarsour is a lawful permanent resident who has lived in the U.S. for more than 30 years, according to MLFA. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) did not respond to a request for comment on the reasoning for his arrest prior to publishing Thursday.

Attorneys for Sarsour have filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus in federal court in the Southern District of Indiana, asking the court to make the federal government explain why he is being detained. On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge James Patrick Hanlon issued an order requiring the federal government to answer the allegations in the petition and show cause for why he should not be released. The order also prevents federal law enforcement from deporting him or transferring him to another jurisdiction.

“DHS is advancing charges that raise serious constitutional concerns,” according to the MLFA. “As in other recent cases, the government appears to be using the immigration system to target individuals for protected speech related to Palestine and Palestinians.”

MLFA attorneys released statements contending the government arrested Sarsour because of his advocacy for the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank.

“As attorneys, we are alarmed by this administration’s renewed attempt to circumvent the Constitution by leveraging the immigration system to suppress free speech and silence advocacy for Palestinian rights,” said Jinan Chehade, MLFA Civil Litigation Staff Attorney.

Sarsour was born in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. As a teenager, he was arrested and tortured by Israeli security forces and “sentenced on fraudulent charges” by an Israeli military court, according to the ISM. When he arrived in the U.S. in 1993, the federal government was aware of his record.

Sarsour has served as the elected president of ISM for the past five years, according to a statement by the organization. His wife and children are all U.S. citizens. He has been variously described as a successful local businessman and a pillar of the community by the ISM and those who knew him.

“The fact that the present ‘Israel first’ U.S. government has chosen to target Mr. Sarsour after thirty-two years in the United States is unconscionable and illegal,” the ISM said. “Had Mr. Sarsour not been targeted by Israel and its agents, he would likely be receiving accolades for his accomplishments.”

American Muslims for Palestine, a nonprofit advocacy organization, compared Sarsour’s detention to that of other activists, like Mahmoud Khalil, who have criticized U.S. support for Israel, which is perpetrating a genocide in Gaza, according to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

“DHS targeting a community leader like Salah must raise alarms for all of us,” the organization said in a statement.

Local and state elected officials in Milwaukee have released statements condemning Sarsour’s arrest. U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore released a statement calling for Sarsour’s immediate release.

“This is completely unacceptable,” Moore said. “Salah Sarsour is a respected leader in the Milwaukee community, and his detention raises serious concerns about the continued targeting of lawful residents based on the color of their skin or their political beliefs.”